We could not go to the fair this year, so instead of fretting about it, me and the kids came up with another solution at 9 o’clock at night. We decided to make homemade elephant ears! Probably not the smartest treat to start so late into the night, but we were all craving them and it IS summertime 🙂 Such a yummy treat to make!
*This post includes my affiliate links
I thought that making elephant ears would be difficult and something that would require a lot of ingredients, but to my surprise, it was so simple. The only thing that took time, was WAITING!!!
- 1 1/2 cups of milk (we used whole milk)
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 8 tbs sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 tbs active dry yeast (if you have it, if not it is okay as we did it both ways)
- 1 quart of oil to fry
- 3-4 tbs of cinnamon
- over medium heat, add the milk, 3 tbs sugar, salt, and butter until everything is mixed and dissolved
- take away from heat and let cool down, then add the yeast (or you can skip this step altogether as we did it both ways and it turned out just the same for us..)
- Put the mix into a large bowl and stir in the flour (let sit for about 30 minutes if you used yeast, so it can rise)
- In a deep fryer add the oil (about two inches or so) and heat to 375
- take dough (as big or little as you want) and flatten it really well as it will get ‘fatter’ when fried!!!
- fry for about 2 minutes. It will get puffy and turned golden brown when ready to take out
- take out and put on a paper towel so it can soak up some of that oil
- mix cinnamon and remaining sugar and sprinkle on top of the elephant ears. You can even, before adding the cinnamon and sugar mixture, drizzle melted butter over the tops of the elephant ears, to make the cinnamon and sugar mix stick better. That was so good!!!
- Enjoy!!! They are truly so good!!!!
The prep time was the longest, especially if you use dry active yeast. We did it both ways and I really did not see a difference when not using the yeast? Maybe I did it wrong, but they turned out just as good, without the dang yeast! Whoosh.
Have you ever tried making homemade elephant ears?
Amanda says
I’ve never heard of elephant ears but these looks amazing! I would love to make these for the kids!
Megan @ C'mon Get Crafty says
A carnival staple, and I’d never have thought to make our own! Looks amazing!
Kendra says
I haven’t tried elephant ears but any fair food is good by me! I think my boys would love to make these.
Toni says
I have never tried making this before. Though my kids will love it when I do!
Brett says
I’ve never heard of homemade elephant ears. They look yummy. We may have to give them a try.
[email protected] says
I haven’t had elephant ears or even heard of them. But it sounds delicious!!
Theresa says
My favorite part of the fair is always the elephant ears. Now I can skip the fair and have them fresh from home! Thanks for the recipe!
Erica says
Wow! These look so yummy! I’m going to have to make them for the kids!
Ann Bacciaglia says
I cant wait to try making these. They look fairly simple to make. Thanks for sharing.
Marina @ Mommy Snippets says
Mmm, those look sooo good! I love that the kids can help with that too.
Christina Foley says
Yes I have made elephant ears (or friend dough) before. Growing up, my dad would let us have an ice cream for dinner night or fried dough for dinner night once or twice a year. Such fun, great memories!
Dina says
I’ve never heard of these. They look amazing. YUM>
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
I love these things. I have never made them at home for fear I would want to eat them all the time!
Karen Glatt says
I really love this recipe to make my own Homemade elephant ears. These treats are so delicious! I am going to make these for a dessert item this week.
Christie says
I haven’t had one in year! My mouth is salivating!
krystalskitsch says
We love fair food. IT would be fun to try this at home!
Shell says
I LOVE elephant ears. I’ll have to try this. Pinning! Thanks!
Tracey says
Elephant Ears are my fav to get at a local carnival. I never thought to make my own.
MommyJenna says
I’ve never heard of these before! I need to check this out and give it a try for the kiddos
Melissa @ This Girl's Life Blog says
When I first read the title I thought you were talking about plants and was like wha… lol… I have never done this before.
Debbie Denny says
I have never done these. First I have heard of it. Will need to try it.
Chrysa says
I need to try this! I love elephant ears, but never thought to try to make them at home.
Carly Anderson says
Is it crazy that I have never had elephant ears before? I always see them at festivals, but have just never tried them. Your recipe is super easy, though, and I think I’ll have to try making them myself. 🙂
Dawn says
They sound delicious, and it looks like you kids enjoyed them! I might have to try this recipe out!
Jennifer says
nope, I’ve never heard of this recipe. Sounds really good though!
Carly from The Puzzled Palate says
I thought that there were only two kinds of elephant ears… plants and actual elephant ears. This looks like fun!
Amber Conaway says
Oh my gosh I have never had these but they look SO yummy! I can’t wait to try these! Thanks for the recipe!
Lisa says
I love these but haven’t ever made them! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Rachael says
Oh, I love elephant ears. I could go for one right about now.
Jaime says
I’ve never made homemade elephant ears. I’d definitely love to try if we don’t go to the fair in a few weeks!
Veronica says
Never heard of that before. it looks like fun for the kids to make
Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com says
Before this post I didn’t even know what Elephant Ears were!!! Yum!
Debra says
That is my mom’s favorite pastry! My kids like it too.
Isabella Grey says
Oh, that looks fun! Never made anything like that before.
Betsy Mitchell says
I’ve never seen a recipe like this before. They look delicious!